Jellyfish sting threat cancels Club 2 Pub Ocean Swim
THE influx of blue blubber jellyfish that have inhabited the waters along Hervey Bay's beaches have forced organisers to postpone the Australia Day Club 2 Pub Ocean Swim.
While the species was not deadly, Hervey Bay Surf Lifesaving Club race director Darren Everard said the decision to re-schedule the race was in the best interests of first-time ocean swimmers and interstate competitors.
"This year we had a lot of first-timers who were getting ready to do their first ocean swim and from the club's point of view we don't want anyone coming here and having a bad experience," he said.
"We don't want anyone to be worried about being stung because that takes the fun out of it.
"We could wake up tomorrow and they (jellyfish) could be gone but we don't want people to turn up here next Thursday or Friday and be a couple of hundred bucks out of pocket with accommodation and fuel expenses because we made a late decision to pull it."
More than 100 swimmers were expected to participate in the Australia Day Club 2 Pub Ocean Swim, which is part of the three-race Swim Hervey Bay series.
Mr Everard was confident they could find a new date to host the popular race, but would have to take into account where other ocean swim races were being held when rescheduling.
All swimmers who have registered and paid will be contacted by Hervey Bay Surf Lifesaving Club and monies will be refunded.
